Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) of up to 5 shots at .3ev, .7ev, 3 shots at 2.0ev

I purchased this camera in May of 2013.

The DSLR-A850 camera features:

25.7 million total pixels

35.9 x 24.0 mm CMOS sensor 'Exmor'

Maximum image resolution of 6048 x 4032

Super Steady Shot image stabilization

Compatibility with Minolta A mount lenses

3 shots per second burst speed

Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) of up to 5 shots at .7ev, 3 shots at 2.0ev

I purchased this camera in October of 2009.

Why Sony, why not a Nikon or Canon?

Back in the 1980's I worked for a guy who purchased the Minolta Maxxum 7000 which was the first Autofocusing SLR camera in the world. About a year later, I was ready to buy my own SLR. I chose the Maxxum 9000 with a 50mm F1.7 lens. Over the years I purchased several more Minolta AF lenses. With the advent of Digital photography my camera and lenses sat in the dark unused for many years. Then I heard that Konica had purchased Minolta and later on found out that Sony had purchased Konica/Minolta's camera technology and began development of a DSLR that would use the Minolta "A" lens mount. It began to look like my old lenses might see sunlight again. Sony released the DSLR-A100 and I almost bought it but then I heard they were close to releasing a much more capable camera. That camera became the DSLR-A700.

Camera Support:

I use the Induro Carbon 8x C313 tripod. Rock solid and very light weight due to it's carbon fiber construction. I also use the Manfrotto 222 Joystick Head. I prefer this to the typical ball head. This design allows me to use only one hand to position the camera and lock it in place. For shooting locations that do not allow tripods I often find success by using theGorillapod Focus and Gorillapod SLR Zoom articulated camera supports. Manufactured by Joby, they stand behind their products and have great customer service.